The Trinidad Guardian Newspaper - Keith Clementhttp://www.guardian.co.tt/byline-authors/keith-clement
enVoisin’s golden touchhttp://www.guardian.co.tt/sports-lead/2017-08-19/voisin%E2%80%99s-golden-touch
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.guardian.co.tt/sites/default/files/neoimages/583226.jpg" width="1200" height="656" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>At the end of every major international event it’s the successful athletes who get all the praise while the coaches and team managers are seldom mentioned, applauded or even recognised.</p>
<p>Team managers are the first to rise on mornings to make sure everything is in place for the athletes and are the last to rest their heads after all those under their charge have checked in and are well tucked in too.</p>
<p>Ask why is it that team managers are so overlooked and arguably under appreciated by many and why they are seen as just pencil pushers?</p>
<p>In an interview, Dexter Voisin, manager of the T&amp;T team that brought international joy after securing two medals (a gold and bronze) at the recent 16th IAAF World Championships in London, England, pointed out that a team manger’s job was in the background.</p>
<p>He lamented: “All supporters and fans see is the finished product, which is the athletes, but there are different aspects of creating and putting that product together and getting ready for display appears to be the least of John Public’s concern, but that’s okay. I’m sure that every team manager wants to see our athletes succeed.”</p>
<p>Voisin, one of several grandsons of T&amp;T’s late queen of parang Daisy Voisin and the fourth of six siblings to parents Cecily and Anthony, said at the end of the day the manager’s job is to make sure the performance of the athlete is challenge free before every event.</p>
<p>The manager’s role is to ensure that the athlete is given all the necessary support to perform at his/her ultimate best when the competition bell rings, no excuses and failures must be aimed or directed at the manager, none. The Manager’s responsibilities and planning starts long before the team is even selected. ”</p>
<p>A native of the Siparia, which is dubbed the “The Sand City,” Voisin chose distance running over all other sports during his teenage years growing up on Coora Road.</p>
<p>He said: “During my teenage years, Siparia was a very rich sporting village with football, cricket, cycling, basketball and netball for the girls of course, but I decided that athletics and in particular distance running would be my thing.”</p>
<p>He recalled, “In 1981 I joined Mendez Athletic Club with the likes of Moses Ranghel, the 1983 T&amp;T Marathon champion, Ben Basanta, my brother Paul, the 1990 T&amp;T marathon winner, Randolph Henry and Kenrick Brown, and we competed in races all over Trinidad. Every weekend we were running, sometimes we would compete in back-to-back races on Saturday and Sunday.”</p>
<p>Voisin, a graduate of the Fyzabad Anglican Secondary School (1981-86) and San Fernando Technical Institute (1986-88), represented T&amp;T at the 1987 and ‘88 Carifta Games in the 5000 metres event, winning the bronze in ‘88, pointed out that London 2017 was unique.</p>
<p>He said: “Once again the team achieved its best results at any World Championships in terms of finalists and medals. The feeling was different, it was the most amount of T&amp;T flags displayed at the medal ceremony. Our Caribbean colleagues stayed back in the stands and sang our national anthem together with us displaying the red, white and black to the world like if it was theirs. What a feeling that was. I felt overjoyed and very proud.”</p>
<p>Voisin’s talent as an athlete earned him an athletic scholarship to the United States, but he decided against it and instead enlisted in the T&amp;T Regiment in 1989, alongside his brother Paul.</p>
<p>At present, he holds the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1, Regimental Sargeant Major to the Defence Force headquarters.</p>
<p>He recalled: “My first tour of duty as a team manager was in 2005, where I was selected to manage the CAC Championship team in Bahamas and later that year the World Championships team in Helsinki, Finland, a selection which was not intentional by the then leadership (former Defence Force Sgt Major Kenneth Doldrun was NAAA president) at the time due to internal politics.</p>
<p>“There I was a young inexperienced administrator with just one year on the executive with a task to manage our senior athletes on the world stage,” he pointed out.</p>
<p>“I remember getting 100 per cent support from Hasely Crawford and other members of the executive. At that championships our men’s 4x 100 metres relay team of the very talented Darrel Brown, Jacey Harper, Kevon Pierre and Marc Burns won a silver medal and I was walking with my chest out and my head held as high as I could stretch my neck,” he laughed.</p>
<p>The seven-time World Championship team manager, the longest reign by an one individual in the NAAA’s history, said he had no regrets when he decided to choose the Defence Force over taking up a scholarship.</p>
<p>“The Defence Force presented me with opportunities to represent and serve my country and there’s no price tag on that. Only so many of us as nationals get such exclusive opportunities. Sports has developed me socially to become the person I am today in every aspect that I can think about.”</p>
<p>After deciding to hang up his road running shoes and track spikes in 1997, he became the head coach of the T&amp;TDF athletic team in subsequent years and was appointed assistant secretary on the the NAAA executive in 2004, a post he held up until 2016, then elected unopposed as general secretary in November 2016.</p>
<p>Looking back and reflecting, he said Helsinki was his initiation to team management and this helped him gain the respect and confidence of other NAAA members to the point where in 2006 he was appointed to manage senior national teams at regional and international meets.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Managerial Assignments to date</p>
<p>• World Championships- 2017, 2015, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005</p>
<p>• Brazil Rio Olympic Games - 2012</p>
<p>• CAC Championships - 2005</p>
<p>• CAC Games - 2006</p>
<p>• World Juniors - 2008, 2010</p>
<p>• Carifta Games- 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011</p>
<p> </p>
<p>There’s no doubt as to why Voison holds his single Olympic Games managerial stint as his proudest assignment.</p>
<p>“My most memorable assignment is the Rio Olympics 2012, where we recorded our best results in the country’s Olympic history. We won our second Olympic Gold medal in 36 years and in an event (Javelin with Kershorn Walcott) that shocked the world and will remain in the history books for all different reasons. We achieved the most medals in any single Olympic Games.”</p>
<p>For the first time he revealed: “The night before the javelin finals, a decision had to be made by the team doctor and team management about whether to withdraw Keshorn from the event due to a back strain which occurred during the World Junior Championships the week before. The discussions surrounded the view of preserving a 19-year-old field athlete and thrower from T&amp;T with the potential of a great future, of challenging the best in the world. In the end a decision was made by all parties which I participated in and it should be recorded as the decision which changed our Olympic history and ignited and united a country.”</p>
<p>He said the the memory of the team’s return to Piarco International Airport from the event still stands out.</p>
<p>“As we stepped off the plane the newly-crowned Olympic champion, his coach and his manager were hurriedly escorted into a private room while the rest of us were left to mingle with the general public and force our way out of Piarco. We were stuck in traffic for hours. The team doctor an I stood on the pavement joking about what just took place while we awaited our transport to arrive,” he said.</p>
<p>A proud father and husband, Voisin hailed his family (wife Joanne and children Jeneal and Tyrell) as his immediate support team.</p>
<p>Looking back, he said: “The institutional knowledge and experience that I have gained from my 27 years in the Defence Force are the ingredients that I’ve applied to my sporting experience. They have certainly helped me in my planning and execution as a team leader throughout the years.”</p>
<p>He ended: “Let me express congratulations again to those four young men, T&amp;T’s gold medal winning team of Jarrin Solomon, Jereem Richards, Machel Cedenio and Lalonde Gordon for the great job they have done. They have made their country proud...Well done guys.”</p>
<p>Assistant Sports Editor</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div>Sun, 20 Aug 2017 02:00:07 +0000Neo133512 at http://www.guardian.co.ttKeith ClementOmiss wins second Multisport Series eventhttp://www.guardian.co.tt/sports/2017-08-08/omiss-wins-second-multisport-series-event
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.guardian.co.tt/sites/default/files/field/image/Kelvin%20Johnson.jpg" width="400" height="340" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Dario Omiss, Marvin Gillard-Bruce and Magda Leschik emerged as the top performers at the Aquathlon event which was the second race of the series on Sunday at Las Cuevas Beach Facility, Las Cuevas.</p>
<p>Described by the organisers as another fantastic race day, the +one a week Evolution Multisport Series in which the the sun, sea and sand provide superb race conditions for over three dozen athletes who were cheered on by many spectators.</p>
<p>The organisers switched the course to water and sand and that presented the ideal challenge to the participants.</p>
<p>In the Sprint Distance contest it was Omiss who dominated the run and swim legs.</p>
<p>The Massy club athlete clocked 37 minutes and 30 seconds to deny 15 challengers.</p>
<p>He was followed closely by Jason Costelloe of Team Beacon GNC with a time of 37:51 for second place and Dwayne Roach, who competed unattached secured the third position behind a time of 38:04 seconds.</p>
<p>The top leading women participants from Race 1, Alana Lee Wo and Hayley Richards both of club +One A Week and Kristin Scott of St Joseph did not participate in Race 2.</p>
<p>Sunday’s contest was dominated by Leschik, who led club XO to secure the top two places after she recorded a time of 51 minutes and 32 seconds with teammate Aliya Drakes second in 52:51 and Jeanne Alexander of +One A Week, a distance third in 1:07.40.</p>
<p>The leaderboard is filled with names from which any one can celebrate as champion when the final event takes place which means that from the next race there will be excitement among the field.</p>
<p>In the boys 13-15 age group segment, Gillard-Bruce, who competed unattached registered a time of 21 minutes and 48 seconds to top the field in the Super Sprint distance.</p>
<p>He was followed home by Danial Shaw of Giants in 22:03 seconds followed by St Mary’s student Stefan Stuven third in 23:09 seconds from the six runners which contested the event.</p>
<p>Despite his second-place finish among the men, Costelloe still maintained his lead in the series ranking with Kelvin Johnson and Jassette Bromfield close behind in second and third positions respectively.</p>
<p>The third race in the Series is another Duathlon, which will take place on the Diego Martin Highway on October 22nd from 7 am.</p>
<p>The second race’s dynamic has changed the series leaderboard standings as follows:</p>
<p><strong>In the Super Sprint</strong></p>
<p>13 – 15 age group boys</p>
<p>1 Marvin Gillard-Bruce</p>
<p>2. Stefan Stuven</p>
<p>3. Malique Wilson</p>
<p>Girls 12-15</p>
<p>1. Kaya Rankine Beadle</p>
<p>2. Arianne Rock</p>
<p>3. Ashleigh Scott</p>
<p>In the Sprint Distance</p>
<p>16+ &amp; Men</p>
<p>1. Jason Costelloe</p>
<p>2. Kelvin Johnson</p>
<p>3. Jassette Bromfield</p>
<p>Women</p>
<p>1. Aliya Drakes</p>
<p>2. Jeanne Alexander</p>
<p>3. Magda Leschik</p>
</div></div></div>Wed, 09 Aug 2017 03:37:48 +0000alexk132656 at http://www.guardian.co.ttKeith ClementPogson, Campbell shine at Wallerfieldhttp://www.guardian.co.tt/sports/2017-06-19/pogson-campbell-shine-wallerfield
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.guardian.co.tt/sites/default/files/field/image/WOMEN_S_Road_Criterium_0.png" width="400" height="306" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Marc Pogson of Heatwave and Teniel Campbell representing PSL, captured the Elite Men’s and Elite Women’s emerged winners of the respective categories when the 2017 National Criterium Championships took place at Frankie Boodram International Raceway, Wallerfield on Sunday afternoon.</p>
<p>Even though the skies threatened for most of the afternoon, weather conditions were cool and calm, setting up ideal racing conditions.</p>
<p>Pogson outclassed his rivals and club-mates James Hadeed and Guy Costa to win the 25-Lap criterium race which saw seven riders going for glory.</p>
<p>While Campbell held-off challengers Alexi Costa of Heatwave, Tonya Sun Kow of The Braves, Cheyenne Awai, who rode unattached and Amy Ramcharitar of South Hampton Wheelers in that order to top the podium.</p>
<p>Earlier in the day’s programme, Pat Nelson (Breakaway) took a sprint finish in the Masters 70+ event over three laps to deny Joeu Nunes of Hummingbird Intl, and Southampton Wheelers pair of Lennox Ling and Lennox Parris, while Stephen Aboud (Unattached) rode away with the Masters 60-69 category after a seven-lap sprint test which left Robert Farrell of Southampton Wheelers second and Peter Hernandez of Hummingbird third.</p>
<p>The Masters 50-59 was highly contested as a mad dash for the line was won by a speedy Rodney Woods (Team Woods), pipping Wayne Samuel (Hummingbirds) on the line after their seven-lap ride.</p>
<p>David Tardieu led his club Breakaway to a sweep of the top three places in the Masters 40-49 category which contested a ten lap ride.</p>
<p>He was followed home by team-mate Raphael Figueira and Mark Hosein with Marlon Joseph of Hummingbirds fourth to round-off the field. Ryan D’Abreau of Arima Wheelers CC survived the challenge of Breakaway duo Benjamin Mouttet and Travis Beharry, who finished second and third respectively in the five-lap contest.</p>
<p>D’Abreau timed his jump perfectly to overtake a hard working Mouttet after the two broke free early in the race.</p>
<p>Mouttet worked diligently to ensure that the lead remained intact but it was D’Abreau’s finishing speed that proved vital in the end.</p>
<p>Makayla Hernandez (Madonna Wheelers) completed her trifecta of Road wins so far this season when she won the two-man race in the Tinymite women category after a three-lap sprint.</p>
<p>She defeated Keira Ellis of Team Woods.</p>
<p>Enrique De Comarmond (Heatwave) secured his third title among his rivals in the juvenile men’s class after seven gruelling laps.</p>
<p>He led to the finish line Rodell Woods of Team Woods, Juhvon Walker of Breakaway and D’Angelo Harris of Rigtech Sonics in that order to close the race.</p>
<p>Jabari Whiteman snatched what can be described as perhaps the toughest race on the days’ programme, a 10 laps contest which saw a field of 12 challengers.</p>
<p>Whiteman managed to hold-off Kemp Orosco of Team DPS, and Michael Ackee of Southclaine respectively in a sprint finish.</p>
</div></div></div>Tue, 20 Jun 2017 02:18:29 +0000jbirch101130602 at http://www.guardian.co.ttKeith ClementPereira, Regis lift OWTU 20k titleshttp://www.guardian.co.tt/sports/2017-06-19/pereira-regis-lift-owtu-20k-titles
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.guardian.co.tt/sites/default/files/default_images/GuardianMedia.jpg" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The storm was on everybody’s mind this Labour Day morning but it was Collin Pereira who did the damage, running away with his first OWTU Butler 20K Run title in a time of one hour, 12 minutes 22 seconds from San Fernando to Fyzabad. The athletes revelled in the cool conditions.</p>
<p>The race took the field from OWTU Headquarters at Paramount Building, Circular Rd, San Fernando to Royal Road, South on San Fernando Bye-Pass, through La Romaine, joins the South Trunk Road at Paria Suites and onto Fyzabad to finish at Charlie King Junction.</p>
<p>It was a sprint to the finish to the end-line for 2nd place as Kelvin Johnson (1:13:06) had the better of veteran Curtis Cox (1:13:07) for second and third respectively·</p>
<p>Jamaican triathlete Jassette Bromfield led SouthCross Athletics with a 4th place finish in 1:16:50.</p>
<p>Elvis Turner (1:18:10) of Tobago copped 5th. Shirlon Williams (1:18:42) placed 6th, Brian Maynard (1:21:38) was 7th and Nicholas Romany (1:21:46) was 8th. Guswil George (1:22:05) finished 9th, Adrian Paul (1:22:21) was 10th, Ted John (1:23:02) secured the 11th spot and Cantius Thomas (1:25:34) had to settle for 12th place.</p>
<p>Christine Regis of Athletics Central led the women home as was expected in the 20K Run in 1:40:32.</p>
<p>Chantel Le Maitre (1:43:31) placed 2nd, Juliet John-Sombrano (1:43:52) was 3d, Leisl Puckerin (1:47:18) was 4th, Melissa Guevara (1:50:43) was 5th, Wendy Shallow (1:53:32) was 6th, Darcel Aguillera (1:57:52) was 7th, Debra Agong (1:58:03) was 8th, Kiyomi Rankine (1:58:35) was 9th and Alana Umraw (1:58:46) was 10th.</p>
<p>In the Butler 20K Walk, the top three men were: Eustus Weekes (2:03:08), Bryan Francis (2:03:02) and Kenny Blanche (2:04:19).</p>
<p>And the top three women were: Debra Davis (2:25:14), Tessa Weekes (2:25:48) and Kizey Hospedales (2:32:49).</p>
<p>In the 4.2K for juniors 16 and under event, Matthew Pulchan was first among the boys in 16 minutes nine seconds with Josiah St. Clair (16:37) was second and Josiah Philemon (17:00) came in third.</p>
<p>Hannah Heath topped the girls category when she clocked 19:59, with Janeil Bailey (21:02) for second and Kyieshi John (23:17) was third. </p>
</div></div></div>Tue, 20 Jun 2017 02:10:12 +0000jbirch101130597 at http://www.guardian.co.ttKeith ClementRowley scores 24 goalshttp://www.guardian.co.tt/sports/2017-05-01/rowley-scores-24-goals
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.guardian.co.tt/sites/default/files/field/image/T_3.jpg" width="1280" height="960" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>T&amp;T’s Boys under 18 national Water polo team finished fifth in the XXIII South American Junior Water polo Championships which came to an end on Saturday in Colombia. T&amp;T team pushed past Venezuela, beating them 16-6 for their final placing.</p>
<p>Rowley’s team-mate Jason Hackett scored 12 goals for his team, while Charles Gillette and Jean Luc Hinds, both scored nine each. Tyrece Joseph contributed five and Joshua Welsh two.</p>
<p>The team put up brave fights against their opponents, seeming to get their momentum going after their first two games which they lost to Argentina 13:8 and Colombia, 19:4.</p>
<p>However, after those set backs T&amp;T regrouped and registered a convincing win against Uruguay 18-8. In the semi-final round, T&amp;T over-powered Chile 17-6 and then stopped Venezuela by ten clear goals to close-off their participation in the tournament.</p>
<p>Peru finished fourth with Argentina securing the bronze medals, Colombia the silver and Brazil the gold as the overall champion.</p>
<p>The team was coach by Alan Too-a-Foo and managed by Derek Hinds.</p>
<p>Both will now turn their attention to the team’s preparation for participation in the much anticipated CCCAN competition which T&amp;T will host from June 22 to 28th at the National Aquatic Centre in Couva.</p>
</div></div></div>Mon, 01 May 2017 09:55:45 +0000matthew_v128955 at http://www.guardian.co.ttKeith ClementAhye, Walcott bag First Citizens awardshttp://www.guardian.co.tt/sports/2017-03-18/ahye-walcott-bag-first-citizens-awards
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.guardian.co.tt/sites/default/files/field/image/Sportswoman_of_the_Year.png" width="400" height="450" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Track and Field athletes, Michelle-Lee Ahye and Keshorn Walcott copped the 2016 First Citizens Sports Foundation “Sportwoman of the Year” and “Sportsman of the Year” awards at the annual national awards function which took place at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s, on Friday night.</p>
<p>The Carenage-born Ahye who will celebrate her 25th birthday on April 10, was a clear favourite among the 30 women athletes that were nominated by the respective national federations.</p>
<p>Just like last year when shot putter Cleopatra Borel and quartermiler Machel Cedenio won to give the National Association for Athletic Administrators (NAAA), a clean sweep, a similar development tok place again with Ahye and Walcott.</p>
<p>During the 2016 season, Ahye came into her own as the top women’s sprinter in T&amp;T when she reached three finals at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in Brazil.</p>
<p>In Brazil, she placed sixth in the women’s 100m sprint final, and also had a similar placing in the 200m women’s final before she helped her team-mates to the women’s 4x100 metres relay final–just the second appearance ever for T&amp;T in this race, along with 1984 – and an eventual fifth-place standing.</p>
<p>Apart from featuring in three finals during the IAAF Diamond League circuit—in Rome, Zurich and Birmingham, Ahye also twice established national records and personal-bests 7.09 seconds clockings in both the first round and semifinals of the 60 metres competition at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Portland, Oregon, where she eventually finished fourth in the final in 7.11 seconds.</p>
<p>The Toco-born Walcott, the 2012 award winner was T&amp;T’s lone medal winner at the Rio Olympic Games when he got bronze in the men’s javelin final with a throw of 85.38 metres behind Germany’s Thomas Rohler (90.30m) and Julius Yego of Kenya (88.24), adding to his gold medal won at the 2012 London Olympic Games.</p>
<p>The 23-year old Walcott had earlier at the same Rio Games executed his best throw of the season of 88.68m during the first round of the competition.</p>
<p>During the season, Walcott also enjoyed another bronze-medal showing at the Bislett Games in the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Oslo, Norway, where he threw 86.35m to finish behind Germans Rohler (89.30m) and Johannes Vetter (87.11m).</p>
<p>Overall, there are 58 athletes (30 women/28 men) representing 33 local sporting associations who are in contention for the top individual awards along with being among the “Top Ten” awardees.</p>
<p>In addition, the Jeffrey Stollmeyer was which is given to a National Governing Sports Body (Large) and (Small) that has outstandingly showcased initiatives, and made significant improvements in its administration and towards the development of its athletes will be presented along with the Lystra D Lewis award which is given at the discretion of the panel of the First Citizens Sports Foundation to an individual, team or group whose performance has impacted significantly on the national sport landscape.</p>
</div></div></div>Sun, 19 Mar 2017 03:30:12 +0000jbirch101127491 at http://www.guardian.co.ttKeith ClementCosta Rica dents T&T’s U-20s World Cup hopeshttp://www.guardian.co.tt/sports/2017-02-23/costa-rica-dents-tt%E2%80%99s-u-20s-world-cup-hopes
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.guardian.co.tt/sites/default/files/field/image/TT_s_.png" width="400" height="285" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>T&amp;T Under-20 men’s football team is on the brink of elimination from the Concacaf Under-20 Championship, a qualifier to the Fifa Under-20 World Cup after a narrow 1-0 loss to host Costa Rica in their second Group C match at the National Stadium, San Jose, Costa Rica on Wednesday night.</p>
<p>With the win, T&amp;T remained third on the four-team table with one point from two matches, five behind unbeaten El Salvador, 3-1 winners over Bermuda on Wednesday, and its next opponent while Costa Rica is second with three points. Bermuda, bottom of the table with a point as well, but with an inferior goal-difference of minus-two to T&amp;T’s minus-one.</p>
<p>On Saturday in its final group match, T&amp;T which is hoping to qualify for a third ever Fifa Under-20 World Cup Finals must beat El Salvador, which has already qualified to the next phase in the 3.30 pm encounter at the same venue and they hope for Bermuda to upset Costa Rica in the second match, but by a small margin to stay behind T&amp;T on goal-difference.</p>
<p>In an evenly matched contest, Costa Rica which was stunned by El Salvador 1-0 in their opener, got the lone item off the boot of Randall Leal in the 54th minute, when he slammed a right-footed free kick from 23-yards out.</p>
<p>Speaking after the match, T&amp;T skipper, Jabari Mitchell, who had a tough outing said he felt his team’s performances could be summed up as tale of two halves.</p>
<p>“I think in the first-half we executed our plan perfectly, but in the second-half we started off a little too slow, and Costa Rica got a few more chances than we expected.</p>
<p>“The pressure they created resulted in a foul by us on top of the box and unfortunately they scored from that set play”.</p>
<p>Despite the loss, Mitchell said he was confident his team can get the three points against El Salvador to keep alive its chances in the tournament.</p>
<p>“But we also have to depend on Bermuda to pull off a result for us as well,” ended Mitchell.</p>
<p>Needing to salvage a draw at least, T&amp;T pushed forward and created a few more openings mainly through striker Nicholas Dillon and St Hillaire, who scored T&amp;T’s goal in the disappointing 1-1 draw with Bermuda in their opener.</p>
<p>The best chance fell to Dillon in the 85th minute, but his crisp drive through the legs of two Costa Rica defenders, just missed the inside of the far post with Sequira planted on his goal-line.</p>
<p>Under the new format, designed to increase the number of meaningful, competitive matches, the top two teams from Groups A, B, and C will advance to the Classification Stage, where the Confederation’s four tickets to the World Cup at this level will be determined in round robin play among two groups of three teams each.</p>
<p>The top two teams of each of the two Classification stage groups will qualify as Concacaf representatives to the FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017.</p>
<p>So far three-time defending champions and 13-time confederations winners Mexico and Honduras, champions in 1982 both with six points in Group A and El Salvador have qualified to the main draw Classification stage and they will be joined by three from Panama (six points), USA (three) and Haiti (three) in Pool B and Costa Rica (three), T&amp;T (one) and Bermuda (one).</p>
<p>
<strong>Teams</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>T&amp;T: 1. Denzil Smith (20.Montel Joseph 12th); 2. Isaiah Garcia, 5. Taryk Sampson, 4. Shane Sandy, 8. Kierron Mason; 3. Kori Cupid, 13. Micah Lansiquot; 15. Kathon St Hillaire (19. Taofik Lucas Walker 72nd), 10. Jabari Mitchell (capt) (Yellow 80), 11. Noah Powder (Yellow 61) (14. Josh Toussaint 68th); 9. Nicholas Dillon.</p>
<p>Unused substitutes: 6.Simeon Bailey, 7.Morgan Bruce De Rouche, 12.Joshua Sitney, 16.Rushawn Murphy, 17.Stephon Marcano, 18.Joshua Leach.</p>
<p>Coach: Brian Williams.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Costa Rica: 1. Mario Sequira; 19. Yostin Salinas (2. Diego Mesen 41st), 3. Pablo Arboine, 13. Esteban Sibanja; 20. Eduardo Juarez; 4. Ian Smith, 11. Randall Leal (16. Marvin Loria 73rd), 14. Roberto Cordoba (10. Jonathan Martinez 79th), 6. Luis Hernandez (capt); 8. Jimmy Marin, 9. Andy Reyes.</p>
<p>Unused substitutes: 18.Alejandro Barrientos, 7.Kevin Masis, 12.Juan Arguedas, 15.Bernald Alfaro, 17.Jostin Daly,</p>
<p>Coach: Marcelo Herrera.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Referee: Kevin Morrison (Jamaica).</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Wednesday’s Results</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>El Salvador 3 (Roberto Dominguez 21st, Fernando Castillo 65th, Josue Rivera 67th) v Bermuda 1 (Mazhye Burchall 75)</p>
<p>Costa Rica 1 (Randall Leal 53rd) v T&amp;T 0</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Standings</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Teams P W D L F A Pts</strong></p>
<p>1. El Salvador 2 2 0 0 4 1 6</p>
<p>2. Costa Rica 2 1 0 1 1 1 3</p>
<p>3. T&amp;T 2 0 1 1 1 2 1</p>
<p>4. Bermuda 2 0 1 1 2 4 1</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Remaining fixtures</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Today</strong></p>
<p>Panama vs Haiti, 4 pm</p>
<p>USA vs Saint Kitts and Nevis, 6.30 pm</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Tomorrow</strong></p>
<p>El Salvador vs T&amp;T, 3.30 pm</p>
<p>Costa Rica vs Bermuda, 6 pm</p>
</div></div></div>Fri, 24 Feb 2017 03:20:19 +0000jbirch101126777 at http://www.guardian.co.ttKeith ClementPaul retuns to the ring at Lara’s Castlehttp://www.guardian.co.tt/sports/2017-02-20/paul-retuns-ring-lara%E2%80%99s-castle
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.guardian.co.tt/sites/default/files/field/image/Nigel_Paul.jpg" width="528" height="960" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>T&amp;T’s 2016 Olympic boxer Nigel Paul will headline an eight bout card which is a collaboration that involves LAY Management Group (LMG) and the Pearl &amp; Bunty Lara Foundation as it hosts its second edition of the Tuesday Night Boxing at the Castle out at Brian Lara’s residence. Bell time is 7 pm.</p>
<p>Tomorrow night’s card will see T&amp;T take on Jamaica. Six of its best amateur boxers will arrive in the country today.</p>
<p>Paul’s opponent Ricardo Brown won the silver medal at last December’s Caribbean Championship. T&amp;T was then unable to send a team because of financial constrains.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Tyron St Clair will trade punches with Tyron Thomas—two local pugilists that will also be on the card as they continue to prepare for the Commonwealth Youth Games which will take place in Bahamas in July. Nyrell Hosein, who is preparing for the Caribbean Schoolboys Championship in April, will have a date with Kevin Ramdeo.</p>
<p>Reynold Cox, vice president of the Amateur Boxing Association said he wants to thank the cricket legend for the opportunity he continues to present to the young T&amp;T boxers. “It is absolutely wonderful that Mr Lara is doing this again this year. Our boxers need this opportunity and stage to perform on again. I hope that more attention will be given to boxing in this way as the TTBA continue to look for opportunities to keep our boxers busy since it will only make them better at their craft and more skillful. This Tuesday Night Boxing at the Castle provides a very unique and competitive way to aid in the development of our boxers. It’s also an entertaining way to promote the sport, and we at the association are committed to more partnerships like this one as we seek to doing more of the same for our boxers,” Cox explained.</p>
<p>Tomorrow’s card will see Nigel Paul Super (Heavyweight), Jessie Beckles (Lightweight), Aaron Prince (Middleweight), Romell Lezama (Welterweight), Brandon Dennis (Heavyweight) and Michael Alexander (Light welterweight), 64Kg, a Commonwealth Games bronze medalist and one of the boxers who continue to fly the red, white and black national colours with pride when they take on a very good and experience Jamaican team.</p>
</div></div></div>Mon, 20 Feb 2017 12:37:17 +0000matthew_v126668 at http://www.guardian.co.ttKeith ClementLara dedicates today’s T20 match to Sabga, Andersonhttp://www.guardian.co.tt/sports/2017-02-18/lara-dedicates-today%E2%80%99s-t20-match-sabga-anderson
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.guardian.co.tt/sites/default/files/field/image/TANDTG-20170218054B.jpg" width="600" height="405" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> <strong>Champion batsman Brian Lara will commence his community T20 cricket tour this afternoon at the Barataria Oval Ground, Barataria, from 5 pm.</strong></p>
<p>The batting superstar is using the sport and skills he knows best to reach out to the young people of T&amp;T and he promised that he will do it community-by-community to send his positive message.</p>
<p>Lara and several of friends will take the field out at 78 Sparrow Avenue, alongside the like of West Indies Test batsman Darren Bravo, former Test players Dinanath Ramnarine, Denesh Ramdin, who is the T&amp;T captain, pace bowler Fidel Edwards and others like Kevon Cooper, Lin­coln Roberts, the hard hitting Kirk Edwards and his good friend Dwight Yorke, who will be part of the event.</p>
<p>He said yesterday, “I will be dedi­cating my fist game of this Island—wide Tour to two of my best friends in sport that recently passed—Mr John Sabga and Mr Scott Anderson. It is difficult to find a more passionate and knowledgeable man in sport as John Sabga and it’s guys like him that inspires you daily to keep going. As an exited professional cricketer every­one knows about my love for golf, and it is Scott Anderson who was my coach and my business partner in golf and most importantly, my friend. Both passed from cancer and both gone too soon. Just young men. This one is for them, I miss them dearly. May they both RIP.”</p>
<p>As it pertains to players for the game, I wish to share with you news of some of the guys who will be playing tomorrow (meaning today) and in the other installments of the tour: “Exciting and promising Jacob Bethell, who is 13 years old and from Barbados. He represents Barbados at under 15 level. The first time I saw him was early last year at Franklin Stephenson Academy and you tell he has ball sense, but with that I also saw exceptional talent.”</p>
<p>On Thursday, Lara, who holds the record for scoring 501 runs in an innings, expressed his concern about T&amp;T. Without making di­rect comments or reference about the current crime situation he said, “Today, what’s going on in T&amp;T we need a little positive energy coming out. If we could just affect two or three youngsters in any particular community, it would be wonderful.”</p>
<p>Lara said his objective is that the message from the venture is to give young people hope.</p>
<p>He continued, “We are not dealing with failures very well in this country. I think a very big part of any sports­man’s life is to deal with failures because the more you get knocked down, you pick yourself back up and move on. The former West Indies captain explained, “We have a lot of youngsters who are experiencing a lot of hardships and they are turning to alternative things to do.”</p>
<p>Lara is calling on the public to show their support for the event attend since this is about showing that we care.</p>
</div></div></div>Sat, 18 Feb 2017 10:43:46 +0000matthew_v126616 at http://www.guardian.co.ttKeith ClementVolleyball elects lawyer first woman presidenthttp://www.guardian.co.tt/sports/2017-01-16/volleyball-elects-lawyer-first-woman-president
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.guardian.co.tt/sites/default/files/field/image/Volleyball_new_executive_2017.jpg" width="711" height="400" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Members of the volleyball fraternity elected its first woman president in attorney-at-law Nicole Selvon when the T&amp;T Volleyball Federation (TTVF) held its annual general meeting (AGM) at the Central Regional Indoor Sports Complex, Chaguanas, on Saturday night.</p>
<p>Selvon was elected unopposed after incumbent president Daymain Stewart decided not to contest after a turbulent four years in office.</p>
<p>The newly-elected executive board will manage the affairs of the sport until 2020 according to a mandate from 21 of the 28 clubs registered with the organisation and voted at the AGM.</p>
<p>Selvon said she was elated and happy to serve, “Of course, I am elated not only to be the president of TTVF but to be the first female president. It certainly is an honour. This means that there is the added burden, in a positive way of course, of additional responsibility to do well for all women in sport administration. The progress or success of any sport is always dependent on the human resource capacity of those saddled with the responsibility of administrating that sport and the sportsmen and women that make up its membership.”</p>
<p>She added, “My focus will be on bringing a professional and transparent approach to the administration of volleyball in Trinidad and Tobago, taking into account the input of all stakeholders, remembering always that my first priority and concern would be the interest of those who play the game”.</p>
<p>An attorney-at-law with ten years experience both in the private and public sector she noted, “I have worked with the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs and also collaborated with SporTT on various initiatives. I have been involved and around the sport of volleyball for some years now. I believe that I have very good administrative skills, but more than that I have a vision for volleyball that will put the sport on the correct footing. I have on my executive persons who have been involved in volleyball at the highest levels and all areas including administration, management, coaching and marketing”.</p>
<p>Selvon pointed out that the membership can look forward to a fresh approach to volleyball from a new perspective. Transparency, frequent consultation with the membership and all stakeholders on matters affecting volleyball, honesty in financial affairs, and a genuine interest in the advancement of volleyball in T&amp;T.</p>
<p>Selvon, who hails from Maracas, St Joseph said, “Very soon our executive would layout our immediate, short term and long term goals for volleyball. I expect that the success of my presidency and the success of my executive would be judged by the extent to which we execute and implement those set goals, being mindful of what we have inherited and the financial resources we are able to secure from both the public and private sector”.</p>
<p>Deon Hutchinson, who was very vocal for change to come about in the sport and who was elected as second vice president said that, “Most people would not understand how Team Revolution changed our slate. For now the answer is: God is in control not us and, while his objective was to become president, Nicole has his full support and we intend to take volleyball to greater heights as a team.”</p>
<p>Since 2016 both Vaughn Martin of Technocrats, a former national player and Hutchinson, the headcoach of Westside Stars club began a campaign advocating for change in the sport’s management. Hutchinson said to the fraternity following Saturday’s AGM, “Your persistence and insistence for fairness and equality, have caused a paradigm shift in volleyball in Trinidad and Tobago. Let there now be healing, unity and purpose. With such a united front like never before. Volleyball 2017 is off to a great start.”</p>
<p>The election which was conducted under the constitution of the FIVB, the world governing body constitution, was supervised by Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, the president of NORCECA, former T&amp;T president Mushtaque Mohammed and the NORCECA co-ordinator Arateide Caceres Hernandez.</p>
<p>The executive board will also include Saleem Ali and Nolan Daniel, who will be the Tobago representative.</p>
</div></div></div>Mon, 16 Jan 2017 11:01:39 +0000matthew_v125239 at http://www.guardian.co.ttKeith Clement